The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Who doesn’t love Jennifer Lawrence? Even the keyboard warriors who obliviously place The Hunger Games in the same category as the mopey vamp Twilight saga can’t deny that she is one of the Hollywood’s most down-to-earth actresses. And if the amusing gifs and memes are to be believed, the Silver Linings Playbook Oscar winner seems to be very much enjoying her moment in the spotlight.

The same can’t be said for her on-screen alter ego, Katniss Everdeen, who seems to be struggling with the moral consequences of her victory over the 74th annual Hunger Games. Having defied the totalitarian power that rules her world through media manipulation and fear-mongering, she has become the poster girl for a proletariat on the verge of uprising.

Despite her best efforts to fulfil her duties as a media puppet for the ruthless President Snow (Donald Sutherland), in order to appease the disgruntled lower classes in the twelve districts, she is eventually forced to participate in a rather suspect anniversary edition of the Capital’s favourite blood sport in order to save her loved ones and maintain the peace.

Naturally, the second act once again is reminiscent of Fukasaku’s Battle Royale, or even futuristic eighties frolic the Running Man. But whereas the first film reserved its use of violence until the Hunger Games began, Catching Fire surprisingly uses the high strung political atmosphere to allow blood to spill in some of its rather shocking and brutal opening scenes.

If there is one criticism to be had, it’s that history may be repeating itself as the over encumbered running time and formulaic structure of Catching Fire almost syncs up perfectly with the first film.

As for the Twilight comparison, it lives only in this saga’s romantic subplot.

Whilst love triangles are becoming the done thing for teenage fiction, it very much thumps away in the background of the Hunger Games. In fact it’s the male characters who are given somewhat upturned gender roles in this franchise. As they dwell upon winning Katniss’ heart, she gets her priorities straight and fights for the lives of her people. It’s a much larger cross to bear than the love torn woes of Bella Swann.

Adapted from the second novel in the Suzanne Collins’ penned series, the film puts society’s obsession with reality TV, garish fashion and the cult of celebrity firmly in the firing line. By expanding on many of the poignant issues that were touched upon in its predecessor, and giving teenage fans a morally sound, emotionally rounded heroine for inspiration, it may come as a shock to hear that Catching Fire is one of the more intelligent 12A certificate blockbusters to arrive this year.

by Leigh Forgie